The capital of southern Spain's Andalusia region. Seville is famous for flamenco dancing, gothic architecture and fresh churros. Lonely Planet voted the city number 1 in its top 10 cities to visit in 2018.

It was my first visit to Seville and hopefully not my last! Easy to explore, mild temperatures in winter and less tourists... I would suggest visiting from September to February. March to June is high season in the city due to local festivities and great weather. July and August can see temperatures exceeding 35'c, where it is advised not to be outside from midday and early afternoon.

I always find the best way to explore is on foot, you have flexibility and freedom to plan your days. However, a real highlight for me was taking the horse drawn carriage tour from either the Plaza de España or Catedral de Sevilla.It is a very popular attraction in the city, and a great way to see all of the sights if you are short of time!

Travelling can be a sheer joy, or it can be an ordeal that you wish would quickly come to an end, and if you want to get the most out of the travelling experience, there needs to be a degree of planning and preparation. Once you are in transit, you are usually limited to the things you brought with you, and if something unexpected occurs, it could put a damper on the trip. If you are new to travelling for pleasure, here are a few tips on correct planning and preparation to help make the journey enjoyable.

* Know Where You Are Going – Travelling on the iconic Trans-Siberian Railway, for example, would involve long periods on a train, yet you can opt to get on board one of those Golden Eagle luxury trains from a reputable tour organiser. They would furnish you with all the information you would need in order to pack and prepare thoroughly for what will be the train trip of a lifetime.

*Visas – If your trip involves foreign travel, you first have to find out about the visa requirements. Many countries will allow tourists to obtain a free visa on arrival, but this should be checked before making any firm decisions about your chosen destination. Travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway would mean you will need at least a Russian visa, and if you plan to check out Mongolia, a separate visa is required. Booking through an established tour operator will ensure that visa applications are made, and they have a lot of useful information regarding all aspects of travel in Russia and Mongolia.

*Travel Insurance – This is essential when holidaying abroad, or even for a business trip, as you never know what might happen, and being in a foreign country is a different scenario than when at home. Medical and accidental injury cover will ensure that, should the worst happen, you will be covered by insurance. Many people have found themselves in a medical emergency when abroad, and without medical insurance, you run the risk of a huge bill in the event you require emergency surgery.

*Make Good Use Of Available Technology – The Internet offers the traveller a wealth of information, especially regarding the destination country. You can read all about the history, culture and customs, and all it takes is a few Google searches to find specific information. You can make bookings online, which is very convenient, whether for travel or accommodation, and you will arrive in the country with some background knowledge that will prove to be invaluable. For a more detailed list of things to do prior to travelling, there are various blogs you can check out.

*Packing Your Luggage – Whether it be a backpack or suitcases, you need to be very specific about what you take. The seasoned traveller would put everything they need onto the bed, then by using a process of elimination, will end up with about half of that. Again, the Internet is your best friend and can help you to find out about the climate and other related topics, and you can even find some travel blogs written by people who have already experienced your planned trip.

If you want to get the most out of a travelling experience, planning and preparation are important, and with online solutions, you can quickly become familiar with your intended destination and can plan accordingly.

Mallorca the largest of the Balearic islands and part of Spain is located in the Mediterranean. Rugged cliffs, caves, mountains, hidden bays and some of most pictureque views I have ever seen. Just a 2 hour flight from London, Norwegian Airlines offer some great off-season deals!

The weather in January made for some dramatic photography and probably some of my favourite shots I have ever taken.

So Portugal in January was ... calm, bright blue skies and warm temperatures, a great start to the new year! We visited Lagos one of my favourite towns – wandered round some shops, stopped for a bite to eat and then onto Ponta de Piedade.

As it was so warm I could wear a dress and feel the sun on my legs – always important to keep the vitamin levels up! Easy, metallic gold pumps that are essential for exploring and walking but with a hint of sparkle. And my hair in space buns, a really simple but effective hairstyle using a few hairbands and pins.